Maccabi Haifa 0 Bayern 3

FCB rewarded for persistence and hard work

Created on 15-09-2009 at 00:00 AM

Bayern stuck to the task commendably against a stubborn Maccabi Haifa in Israel on Tuesday evening, recording an ultimately convincing victory to start their Champions League campaign in the best possible manner.

A 38,789 crowd at the Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv saw the German giants dominate the first 45 minutes, Ivica Olic steering the best chance of the half wide of the near post, but the Bavarians were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net at times. The men in red upped the tempo again after the hour mark, Daniel van Buyten finally crashing home a loose ball to break the deadlock on 64 minutes.

However, it was a nervy end to the game for the visitors until Thomas Müller doubled the lead five minutes from time. The 20-year-old added another before the end to give the scoreline a wholly pleasing if very slightly flattering look from a Bayern point of view.

No-one at the club will mind too much about that, as the result, combined with the 1-1 draw in the parallel fixture between Juventus and Bordeaux, means Munich go straight to the top of the Group A standings. Turin giants Juve are next up at the Allianz Arena in 15 days' time.